Abstract

References (38)

Using the URL or DOI link below will
ensure access to this page indefinitely

Based on your IP address, your paper is being delivered by:

New York, USA

Processing request.

Illinois, USA

Processing request.

Brussels, Belgium

Processing request.

Seoul, Korea

Processing request.

California, USA

Processing request.

If you have any problems downloading this paper,please click on another Download Location above, or view our FAQFile name: SSRN-id1269730. ; Size: 266K

You will receive a perfect bound, 8.5 x 11 inch, black and white printed copy of this PDF document with a glossy color cover. Currently shipping to U.S. addresses only. Your order will ship within 3 business days. For more details, view our FAQ.

Quantity:Total Price = $9.99 plus shipping (U.S. Only)

If you have any problems with this purchase, please contact us for assistance by email: Support@SSRN.com or by phone: 877-SSRNHelp (877 777 6435) in the United States, or +1 585 442 8170 outside of the United States. We are open Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30AM and 6:00PM, United States Eastern.

Consumer Debt is 130% of Income: Avoiding Budget Constraint Orthodoxy

Consumer theory maximizes utility subject to a budget constraint, ignoring that the ratio of consumer debt to disposable income has varied between 30% and 130%. Granger-causality tests also confirm Consumption-precedence over income. We discuss features of newer US data allowing families greater control on the timing and level of income. Our 'target-seeking' Wiener-Hopf-Whittle optimization yields a two-equation system where both consumption and income are endogenous, similar to quantities and prices in a demand system. We resolve five old 'puzzles' from the consumer theory literature and provide estimates of shadow prices of the income level and adjustment costs.